Negotiations are underway between the German Interior Ministry and the Taliban regarding the potential deportation of individuals with criminal records or deemed security risks from Germany to Afghanistan. The move, spearheaded by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the CSU party, has drawn sharp criticism from within the parliamentary group “Die Linke” (The Left).
Clara Bünger, parliamentary group vice chair, voiced concerns that engaging in negotiations with the Taliban could be seen as legitimizing and minimizing the actions of a designated terrorist organization. She questioned the stated aim of the talks, suggesting it appeared to prioritize large-scale deportations to a nation where practices like torture, public executions and floggings are routinely reported. Bünger further asserted that the initiative risked undermining the voices of Afghan civil society and women’s rights advocates.
However, the plan has garnered support from within the governing coalition. Alexander Throm, interior policy representative for the CDU party, stated that his party has long advocated for such measures and praised Dobrindt’s actions as a step in the right direction. He emphasized the need to ensure that individuals who commit crimes in Germany are deported after completing their sentences, a policy he believes should apply to those originating from Syria and Afghanistan alike, to safeguard the future of Germany’s asylum system.
The SPD party also expressed backing for the proposed deportations. Parliamentary Secretary Dirk Wiese acknowledged the necessity of repatriating criminals and potential security threats to Afghanistan. He suggested that existing channels of communication, currently facilitated through Qatar, should be intensified while avoiding the formal establishment of diplomatic relations with the Taliban.
